What should we do for the right wing if we don't get Sancho in the upcoming window?

[UNITED ACADEMY]

You said

I have since proved you wrong. Others discussed Dalot. I am not twisting anything these are facts.

You really don’t like people proving you wrong. It’s clearly an issue you have and I’m happy to help you on unit journey to understanding these issues.

Back to the topic of discussion.

Sure. But that's not the point isn't it. You ignored the point and twist it so you can win argument. What about we back to the point when you said:

I know you and I have disagreed in the past but it’s been ridiculous some of the suggestions!

Dalot starting RW, Williams there and Bruno.

So many people cannot see past Sancho that they just are happy to throw any name from our squad out wide!

Haha you seriously have a problem! I was agreeing with you! I was not implying you had done that so stop it.

No one is actually throwing Dalot's name to start RW. And if you are referring to tenpoless's post then you are referring to my post because we both pretty much said the same thing which you denied it. Let's not changing the topic where you started this.

 

[BenitoSTARR]

Sure. But that's not the point isn't it. You ignored the point and twist it so you can win argument. What about we back to the point when you said:





No one is actually throwing Dalot's name to start RW. And if you are referring to tenpoless's post then you are referring to my post because we both pretty much said the same thing which you denied it. Let's not changing the topic where you started this.

I’ve ignored nothing. You call me out I’ve proved you wrong then you say that’s not the point. You’re all over the place like a rash.

I was agreeing with you that there has been some awful suggestions to play people out of position. I’m not attacking you I’m defending myself.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

Yes the poster suggests a left footed right winger and you suggest a LW.

Just trying to help you out here buddy.

McNeil has 5 PL apps at Rm/RW not exactly what we’re after.

We need a RW to suit our system. McNeil would be an excellent suggestion for LW at a club with a target man. He may even be a decent shout as a LWB in future. But who in our current attacking line up will be this target for crosses?

I think I made my point pretty clear about McNeil is a LW but at the same time has the talent to play on the right which is the reason why I mentioned what I saw from his performance on the right against Chelsea in 2nd half. That's like saying Messi won't ever play in central when he started his professional career on the right majority. Just because a certain team is using the player in one way doesn't mean he can't play in different way in different club, the guy is just 20 years old.

 

[davidmichael]

I’d rather we didn’t do the alternate signing thing anymore, we’ve not officially even bid for Sancho or know where stand in regards to a few due to all the uncertainty in football money wise right now.

From how it looks Sancho won’t sign a new deal therefore Dortmund have a choice to sell at a premium now or half at best next summer when he’s got a year left or stick to their guns and most likely lose him on a free which isn’t how Dortmund operate especially after Lewandowski.

I think we’ve got the money to sign Sancho but with all the uncertainty going on we can’t just come out and say that as it leaves Dortmund just standing firm in demanding a very large fee, I can see it being like Maguire last summer where it goes to deadline day and then we pay around £90 million but it’ll be our only signing.

If we’re able to shift a couple from Smalling, Jones and Rojo plus Fosu-Mensah, Borthwick-Jackson, Lingard and maybe Sanchez that frees up a lot of money (£500-£600K a week) in wages and maybe brings in £40-£45 million in transfer fees so I don’t see any reason why we should look at alternatives seeing as signing second or third or even fourth choice signings has loaded us up with deadwood of which we’ve nearly all got rid of.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

I’ve ignored nothing. You call me out I’ve proved you wrong then you say that’s not the point. You’re all over the place like a rash.

I was agreeing with you that there has been some awful suggestions to play people out of position. I’m not attacking you I’m defending myself.

Prove me wrong of what? The one thing that is proven wrong is that when you said someone threw Dalot's name to play out of position on the right instead of Sancho because no one did, that's where the start of the argument. If you are referring to tenpoless's post then you are referring to mine as well which is why I questioned you.

There is zero reason of defending yourself by replying to my post that wasn't even referring to yours.

 

[BenitoSTARR]

Diogo Dalot.

RW
1st - Greenwood
2nd - James
3rd - Dalot
4th - Andreas Pereira

Let them fight!

In case you missed the Thursday posters who mentioned Dalot before you.

I think I made my point pretty clear about McNeil is a LW but at the same time has the talent to play on the right which is the reason why I mentioned what I saw from his performance on the right against Chelsea in 2nd half. That's like saying Messi won't ever play in central when he started his professional career on the right majority. Just because a certain team is using the player in one way doesn't mean he can't play in different way in different club, the guy is just 20 years old.

McNeil has shown he can play on 5 occasions. Does that make him good enough to start for us?

You ignored my question. You mentioned McNeil is a great crosser I agree but who will he be crossing to in our squad that is the target man? Can you answer?

I believe he has shown evidence of being quick and a very good crosser. He can pick out target men well. If he hasn’t shown anything else then we shouldn’t risk him suddenly changing as a player.

Anyone with half a brain could see Messi is a special player. Trying to compare his career path to Dwight McNeil is laughable. Dwight McNeil does not show the skills we need. Messi showed ability to do everything from a young age. Jesus.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

In case you missed the Thursday posters who mentioned Dalot before you.

They didn't mention Dalot starting as RW.

In case you missed it, this is what you said:

I'll highlight it just for you.

I know you and I have disagreed in the past but it’s been ridiculous some of the suggestions!

Dalot starting RW, Williams there and Bruno.

So many people cannot see past Sancho that they just are happy to throw any name from our squad out wide!

McNeil has shown he can play on 5 occasions. Does that make him good enough to start for us?

You ignored my question. You mentioned McNeil is a great crosser I agree but who will he be crossing to in our squad that is the target man? Can you answer?

I believe he has shown evidence of being quick and a very good crosser. He can pick out target men well. If he hasn’t shown anything else then we shouldn’t risk him suddenly changing as a player.

Anyone with half a brain could see Messi is a special player. Trying to compare his career path to Dwight McNeil is laughable. Dwight McNeil does not show the skills we need. Messi showed ability to do everything from a young age. Jesus.

Do we have a target man? May be you should start thinking that we actually don't have one. Our striker isn't a target man type of striker. Ironically enough having a left foot winger is also something that can benefit Bissaka who has improved his crossing lately. The crossing he made on Dalot against Wolves, Rashford against Newcastle & Martial against Chelsea are part of example sign of improvement.

I only mentioned Messi as example which clearly you either didn't get it or just play dumb on the example so you can argue. I could name tons like Young, Giggs, Dembele (Spurs) and more. The point is simple, McNeil is playing on the left wing with Burnley to suit the team style. You are making him sounds like he's a one dimensional player who can only crossing with his left foot so he's not qualified to play on the opposite site and score or creating chances, which he actually did it against Chelsea this season.

 

[Mark Pawelek]

We could buy highly rated 18 year old prospect such as Facundo Pellistri (video) who plays in Uruguay for Peñarol; managed by ex-United man: Diego Forlan. He's direct, likes to dribble, can cross, his football brain spots his team-mates for the right pass. 1 assist in 3 matches for Peñarol so far. Very mature for his age. This right footed tricky winger has a Spanish passport, and will certainly be on his way to Europe soon; possibly for a low fee which will suit us right now. There's an argument which says he's still too young for the PL, but even if we buy a more mature right-winger we still need backup.

 

[Bondi77]

Greenwood and James.
One is a teenager and the other has just turned 22 and has played just over half as season in the top flight;
I could be wrong but I would say there will be plenty of improvement in these two young men in the coming years.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Just a thought.

Isn't getting Sancho or other new RW means less chances for Greenwood to play?

 

[Mark Pawelek]

1. play a player out of position: Greenwood, James, Dalot
2. buy a cheap prospect - very few top prospects are 'cheap'!
3. buy an experienced player - probably not good enough, also a big risk.
4. bring in a loanee - like we did with Ighalo

I fancy options 4 and 2 combined - the least risky and least expensive options. We need 2 players for every position. Currently we don't have a proper right-winger at all.

 

[Strelok]

1. play a player out of position: Greenwood, James, Dalot
2. buy a cheap prospect - very few top prospects are 'cheap'!
3. buy an experienced player - probably not good enough, also a big risk.
4. bring in a loanee - like we did with Ighalo

I fancy options 4 and 2 combined - the least risky and least expensive options. We need 2 players for every position. Currently we don't have a proper right-winger at all.

We already have James and Greenwood, buying another young prospect will reduce their game time I think. And as you said, top prospect won't come cheap. Imo option 2 only makes sense if we decide to drop our chase for Sancho definitively.

A left footed RW would help us to have lot more options tactically imo and it's true, we don't have any proper RW for years already. James and Greenwood can't be our starting RW yet. I really like the idea of some out-of-favor but once classed with lot of experience left footed RW. But one year loan only since buying those is very risky, lesson learned with Sanchez. Our squad is actually really young, especially the front three. Some experience gonna help imo. Would love to see what Bale could do in an Utd shirt for once.

 

[SAFMUTD]

1. play a player out of position: Greenwood, James, Dalot
2. buy a cheap prospect - very few top prospects are 'cheap'!
3. buy an experienced player - probably not good enough, also a big risk.
4. bring in a loanee - like we did with Ighalo

I fancy options 4 and 2 combined - the least risky and least expensive options. We need 2 players for every position. Currently we don't have a proper right-winger at all.

The difference with Ighalo is we brought him to be a squad player, someone we can use to rest Martial.

on the right wing we need a starter, no use in bringing a promise or a medium player when we have Greenwood and James for that.

I think if we bring someone it should be to be an automatic starter.

 

[tenpoless]

Just a thought.

Isn't getting Sancho or other new RW means less chances for Greenwood to play?

Assuming We stay with Rashford on the left (He's very good there by the way) and Martial as main number 9 (just like the way He sees himself) then James could be rotated with Rashford while Greenwood has a chance to rotate with either Sancho or Martial. I'd say He will still play quite a lot of games mainly because We only have one number 9 (unless if Ighalo stays.. and even so He wouldn't mind being used as a sub), and only one cover for each position. For a young forward who could play anywhere and isn't a classic striker aka a target man, Greenwood shouldn't be worried at all.

 

[Mark Pawelek]

We already have James and Greenwood, buying another young prospect will reduce their game time I think. And as you said, top prospect won't come cheap. Imo option 2 only makes sense if we decide to drop our chase for Sancho definitively.

Greenwood is not a winger. James is ineffective from the right because he's no longer a goal threat. He makes an average of about 1.4 SpG over 27 matches and scored 3 goals. 27 × 1.4 ÷ 3 = 12.6 shots per goal, or a conversion rate = 8%. It's not good. Not as bad as Fred, but not good. In comparison, Greenwood has a conversion rate ~ 25%

Would love to see what Bale could do in an Utd shirt for once.

So, you're arguing for a loan signing?

 

[Strelok]

Greenwood is not a winger. James is ineffective from the right because he's no longer a goal threat. He makes an average of about 1.4 SpG over 27 matches and scored 3 goals. 27 × 1.4 ÷ 3 = 12.6 shots per goal, or a conversion rate = 8%. It's not good. Not as bad as Fred, but not good. In comparison, Greenwood has a conversion rate ~ 25%

So, you're arguing for a loan signing?

Well we both agree on the loan signing part (#4). The difference is I don't think buying a top young prospect (#2) would be a good choice, unless we drop our chase for Sancho definitively. Especially if we can loan an experienced RW. Which should be a much cheaper, less risky solution while waiting for Sancho.

In short, #4 in your post is the best solution imo. Unless we decide to stop chasing Sancho definitively, which makes #4 + #2 the best solution.

 

[Mark Pawelek]

Well we both agree on the loan signing part (#4). The difference is I don't think buying a top young prospect (#2) would be a good choice, unless we drop our chase for Sancho definitively. Especially if we can loan an experienced RW. Which should be a much cheaper, less risky solution while waiting for Sancho.

In short, #4 in your post is the best solution imo. Unless we decide to stop chasing Sancho definitively, which makes #4 + #2 the best solution.

I don't think United should ever stop chasing the best young prospects. Especially those who want to wear the iconic #7. But United will pay £70m at most. Dortmund want £89m. Sancho will not sign a new contract. I can't see Dortmund keeping Sancho past next January. They can't risk going into next summer with only 1 year on his contract.

 

[Ace of Spades]

Well, we don't even know when the window opens yet, feels pointless speculating now. We probably have alternative options, but for a player like Sancho we should do everything to get him.

 

[Zlatans Knee]

The right wingers have got enough power and look at the mess of the country. We need some more left wingers.

 

[RUCK4444]

Burn it

 

[Strelok]

I don't think United should ever stop chasing the best young prospects. Especially those who want to wear the iconic #7. But United will pay £70m at most. Dortmund want £89m. Sancho will not sign a new contract. I can't see Dortmund keeping Sancho past next January. They can't risk going into next summer with only 1 year on his contract.

Well in that case #4 should be the best option then.

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

Burn it

 

[Nickelodeon]

Is Sancho even a RW?

I’m actually now more and more sceptical about signing players for huge transfer fees or wages or both. Not one has been a roaring success for us (Pogba, Lukaku, Di Maria, Sanchez).

 

[Hoboman]

Buendia - hardworking, creative, versatile, wouldn't be expensive (with Norwich likely getting relegated).

 

[fps]

We finally have a good cm and people want to play him on the right wing. Figures.

 

[Brightonian]

Is Sancho even a RW?

I’m actually now more and more sceptical about signing players for huge transfer fees or wages or both. Not one has been a roaring success for us (Pogba, Lukaku, Di Maria, Sanchez).

Yes to your first question. He can play on both wings (and honestly would be a superb #10 too, he's just that good) but that's not code for secretly preferring the left. He has played on the right more than anywhere else for Dortmund. He has racked up the majority of these goals and assists playing on the right. He has exclusively played on the right for England.

I don't think Pogba belongs in that list yet, but don't really want to accidentally turn this into a Pogba debate as I'll grant you it's subjective.

Maguire has pretty much justified his expenditure. It wasn't instant but before he arrived our defence was a shambles and now it looks very solid, and that's despite the fact that he doesn't have a completely convincing, settled partner. AWB and Shaw's renaissance have been a big part of that too, but it's Maguire who runs that defence. And he's already our captain, which is pretty remarkable when you think about it.

I agree with your point generally. Spending big bucks should be a very rare thing, whereas it feels like we've done it most seasons over the past five or six. But I think Sancho is exactly an example of that player who you should spend big to get. He's a perfect fit for a very clear hole in our side. He's one of the best players of his generation, both to watch and in terms of the hard numbers. He's very young but already has a mature game. He's English, and will be linking up with Rashford for England for the foreseeable future. It just cries out to be done, and we shouldn't let the missteps of the last half decade - none of which had anywhere like the unanimous support on here that signing Sancho does - stop us from going for it.

Lastly it is worth pointing out that we got almost all our transfer fee back for both Di Maria and Lukaku. And if we sell Pogba any time soon we'll probably make a significant profit. Obviously this shouldn't be a primary concern, but it's not as if we just lost these huge sums of money.

 

[NoPace]

1. play a player out of position: Greenwood, James, Dalot
2. buy a cheap prospect - very few top prospects are 'cheap'!
3. buy an experienced player - probably not good enough, also a big risk.
4. bring in a loanee - like we did with Ighalo

I fancy options 4 and 2 combined - the least risky and least expensive options. We need 2 players for every position. Currently we don't have a proper right-winger at all.

I'd prefer Option 5 which is just be to buy a really good #10 anyways so that one of Pogba and Bruno can be sitting and we still have 2 central midfielders who can really create at a high level, or one to come off the bench if it's Fred and Bruno/Pogba starting.

Grealish or Maddison are the obvious ones, but Eriksen is having trouble getting a clear starting spot under Conte at Inter is interesting. He's at 25 in 38 for Denmark over his last 4 years. And Inter seem to like our entire squad too. Dalot a potential fit for a 3-5-2.

That could be a loan too, it's easier to find a quality #10 than a winger on loan, since they are generally tough players to fit in, though we seem a potential fit for one with talented goalscorers who struggle in build up play.

and then we get Sancho in 2021, which we'd have to feel confident about to not just sign a RW this summer.

Actually now that I think about it, Havertz is the real best option for this:

Rashford---------Martial
------------Pogba-----------
----Pogba--------Bruno---
-------------Fred-------------

and he replaces Pogba if he leaves and we sign Sancho next summer. Or he takes Martial's job as a false 9.

In theory it could even be a good enough midfielder of any kind. For example, plugging in a time traveling Andrea Pirlo (ironically a deep playmaker of real quality maybe being the only type of player harder to find than a top winger):

Rashford---------Martial
------------Bruno-------------
----Pogba------Fred------
-------------Pirlo-------------

would be a fine if uncomfortably 90s style front 6, with Greenwood, James and McTominay playing the great majority of the other front 6 minutes and either veterans like Ighalo (we'd need another winger, strike or #10 of some kind on loan like him) and Matic getting basically all the rest.

For Option 1, I'd add that people don't really mention Rashford as an option on the right but James-Martial-Rashford or Martial-Greenwood-Rashford are both possible if one of James or Greenwood makes a big leap.

Sometimes works for a direct right-footed player to do well at RW, like if James is just a breakout starting quality player then maybe Rashford can be a better Callejon and James get close to a typical Insigne season, though even if James breaks out he's still perfect as a 3rd winger covering both sides.

Alternatively, if Greenwood is ready to join Anelka, Rooney, Fowler and Owen as 19 year old Premier league strikers who were certainly good enough to start for us, even if that's as a 9 and not out right, I think Martial out left and Rashford out right could be fine for a year, if again, we're waiting for Sancho.

I wouldn't include a McTominay breakout season and playing a 4-2-2-2 with him and Fred in midfield and Bruno and Pogba proper free to create for 2 of our forwards since that would open up a huge question of depth in midfield and we'd end up having to abandon it unless everyone stayed miraculously healthy AND Hannibal (or Bellingham if he joins) immediately stepped in as a starting quality midfielder like Cesc was at 17.

TLDR: If we can't sign Sancho let's just buy Havertz and use him as a false 9/10 for a year and then a bunch of other less good ideas.

 

[ivaldo]

Dunno. Deport all the foreigners?

 

[afatzp]

Samuel Chukwueze from Villarreal looks a great option to me. Reminds me of Mane . Sharpen his shooting skills and off-the-ball he would be threat all 90 mins .

 

[BenitoSTARR]

They didn't mention Dalot starting as RW.

In case you missed it, this is what you said:

I'll highlight it just for you.





Do we have a target man? May be you should start thinking that we actually don't have one. Our striker isn't a target man type of striker. Ironically enough having a left foot winger is also something that can benefit Bissaka who has improved his crossing lately. The crossing he made on Dalot against Wolves, Rashford against Newcastle & Martial against Chelsea are part of example sign of improvement.

I only mentioned Messi as example which clearly you either didn't get it or just play dumb on the example so you can argue. I could name tons like Young, Giggs, Dembele (Spurs) and more. The point is simple, McNeil is playing on the left wing with Burnley to suit the team style. You are making him sounds like he's a one dimensional player who can only crossing with his left foot so he's not qualified to play on the opposite site and score or creating chances, which he actually did it against Chelsea this season.

Yes they did...

And I ask you that because I’m trying to point out to you how stupid it would be to sign a winger who is so far used to playing with Chris Wood as his attacking outlet. Of course we don’t have a target man. The closest to that is Ighalo who won’t start for us anyway. It would be a waste of money.

How would McNeil benefit Wan Bissaka? I agree Wan Bissaka is better than a lot of people give him credit for but he can’t be responsible for an entire wing.

I’ll admit I don’t get how Lionel Messi’s career has any bearing on Dwight McNeil’s as you are trying to suggest that because Messi (arguably the greatest player ever) has move positions McNeil could too.

I agree McNeil is playing to suit Burnley because guess what? McNeil’s game play and qualities suits a side like Burnley because he’s hardworking, quick and a great crosser. Exactly what Burnley with a target man approach needs.

Giggs and Young were not just crossers. Giggs could dribble, pass and score and Young when at Villa was brilliant. Giggs slowly moved central in his career as he lost pace he’d drift into central areas by his own admission. He even had to see an eye specialist as his peripheral vision was weaker on the left side. It’s not as easy as any player can do it.

We’re not going to agree on this so we’ll have to agree to disagree.

 

[romufc]

What about you give an example. Never mind 20 points, we are 30+ points behind. And beside "couple signings" is different to "one signing".

For us to get closed to Liverpool next season is that if Martial & Rashford step up into world class level first.

In 14/15 Leicester finished 46 points behind chelsea and won the league season after
In 15/16 Chelsea finished 10th - 31 Points behind the champions and won the title by 5 points.

We already made one signing in January, If we make 1 signing and keep Ighalo then we could be challenging.

 

[RkkMan]

Like I`ve said several times Sancho or nobody. If we miss out on CL football I could understand us not being able to sign him since we won`t be attractive and it`ll literally be financially impossible to afford him, if however we finish in the top 4 and possibly win a trophy ZERO EXCUSES not to sign him. He has the PERFECT profile to be our next talisman and the one buy I am very sure will make that No7 shirt his own. It`s either we go hard or go home with him and frankly it`ll be an even bigger shame than Hazard/Griezmann to miss out on him.

 

[Woodzy]

Ignore it for another 5 years.

 

[fps]

The reason the club should go for Sancho or no-one is that the players on that wing are going to get better anyway. James will be a much better player next year, Greenwood will be a much better player, Wan Bissaka behind them made enormous strides in his attacking game last year to the point where people saying he couldn't attack clearly weren't watching matches. Blocking the development of players who are improving, and also content to be squad players, would be a silly thing to do.

So if United are signing someone for the right wing, they must be a ready made first teamer with several seasons in front of them. Apart from Sancho, who is there who could do that? Traore, that’s about it, and he is a really unpolished diamond. They shouldn't be too young, they must have the character to come in and perform as expected as a first team player.

 

[ROFLUTION]

Sign a serbian winger called Panic. Would be a true Panic buy

 

[Delano]

If we don't get Sancho, but want to persist with a 4-2-3-1 using either James, Lingard and Greenwood, we will all be moaning again that our attack is lopsided come October.

We will see AWB being asked to do far more attacking than he is clearly comfortable with, and an over reliance on a young kid in Greenwood. We'd need a stop gap like Willian.

If we can't get a stop gap, we need to change to a diamond to have a chance at finishing higher than 4th/5th. Rashford and Martial up top, with Pogba and Bruno alternating at 10.

I honestly cannot spend another season moaning about our right hand side having zero attacking threat. Which has been the case since Nani left.

 

[sparx99]

James/Greenwood is enough.

James does a solid hard working job against the big boys, when we need goals Greenwood is the man.

Unless we buy a proper alternative to Sancho like Diaby or Chiesa etc then I don't really see the point. We have plenty of "good" options already.

Daniel James is just about good enough to be a squad player at Utd. If he had come through the academy I'm not sure we'd see a long term future for him at Utd. Greenwood is 18. Compared to the right-wingers at clubs in the Champions League and we obviously need an upgrade.

Barcelona - Messi
Real Madrid - Bale/Vinicius/Asensio/Vazquez
Juventus - Bernadeschi/Costa (usually play without wingers though)
Bayern - Gnabry/Muller
Dortmund - Sancho/Brandt/Hazard
PSG - Mbappe/Di Maria/Sarabia
Liverpool - Salah

 

[sparx99]

Traore or Zaha.

It's all about speed these days.

I think Dan James has shown that's not the case tbh.

 

[PoTMS]

Buendia - hardworking, creative, versatile, wouldn't be expensive (with Norwich likely getting relegated).

Definitely very underrated. Would be an astute signing regardless of whether we get Sancho or not.

 

[yo@Kirk]

With Ighalo covering for Martial at CF, Greenwood will be able to focus on RW for the completion of the 2019/20 season. A great opportunity which Greenwood will take convincingly, imo.